Astronomy & Astrophysics
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Science Division awards honor staff and faculty for outstanding work and dedication
Alyssa Danielli, department manager in astronomy and astrophysics, and Carrie Partch, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, are the respective recipients of the division’s 2024-25 Outstanding Staff and Faculty Awards
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Meet this historian of alien worlds
With equations and simulations, astronomer Ruth Murray-Clay is working to understand how distant planets form, evolve and could offer conditions to support life.
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From Space to Soil, Alexie Leauthaud Bridges Cosmology and Environmentalism
UC Santa Cruz astronomer Alexie Leauthaud is bringing her cosmology expertise to climate action through Seed Spoon Science, a community-based gardening program focused on environmental justice and sustainability.
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How quiet galaxies stay quiet: cool gas feeds black holes in ‘red geysers’
New paper led by UC Santa Cruz undergraduate suggests that long-dormant galaxies deemed to be dead may actually be stunted by the dynamics of supermassive black holes at their center
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American Astronomical Society honors four UC Santa Cruz affiliates
At this week’s national gathering, astronomy and astrophysics professors Bryan Gaensler, Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, and Connie Rockosi were honored for outstanding contributions to the field, as was alumna Kathryn Johnston
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Historic Lick Observatory closes to public following significant wind damage
Early on Thursday, Dec. 25, severe winds gusting up to 114 miles per hour tore loose half of the shutter on the 140-year old 36-inch Great Refractor dome. No one was injured.
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Advanced telescope instrument for observing planet formation to be created at UC Santa Cruz
World’s first facility-grade ‘astrophotonics’ instrument to be deployed at Lick Observatory
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‘Super-Jupiter’ exoplanet has markedly different atmosphere than our gas giant, new study finds
Analysis of early direct images from James Webb telescope show immense dust clouds on brown dwarf that lead to a blurring of atmospheric lines—and scientific consensus
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In Memoriam: Joel Primack
Distinguished emeritus professor was a towering figure in theoretical physics and cosmology, a visionary educator, dedicated mentor, and passionate advocate for the role of science in society
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UC Santa Cruz is the top public research university in the world for highly cited researchers amid strong 2025 list
25 UC Santa Cruz researchers earned a spot on the prestigious annual list.

